Former Indian spin legend Harbhajan Singh has extended a perfect score to the national selection committee following the announcement of India's squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Speaking on Star Sports, Harbhajan specifically lauded chief selector Ajit Agarkar for assembling a balanced team, acknowledging that the decision to drop star batter Shubman Gill would have been an incredibly difficult one.
A Perfect Score for Tough Decisions
Harbhajan Singh gave the selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, a rating of 10 out of 10 for their work. He emphasized that while leaving out a player of Gill's caliber was hard, the ultimate priority was the team's combination, particularly at the top of the batting order. The former cricketer expressed his delight at the inclusions of dynamic finisher Rinku Singh and the returning wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, noting Kishan's good recent form.
"It must have been tough to leave out Shubman Gill, but it is not the end for him in T20s. The team combination was the priority," Harbhajan stated during the discussion on December 20, 2025. He also supported the decision to name all-rounder Axar Patel as the team's vice-captain in Gill's absence, calling it a very good move.
Gill's Omission: A Question of Combination, Not Form
The exclusion of Shubman Gill was the most talked-about aspect of the squad reveal. Despite being named captain of the Indian Test and ODI teams and recently serving as vice-captain in T20Is, the 25-year-old opener found himself out of the World Cup plans. Both captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar clarified that Gill's omission was not related to his form but was purely a strategic decision based on the batting combination the management sought.
Harbhajan echoed this sentiment, stressing that Gill's quality across formats is undeniable and that being left out does not diminish his stature as a player. "Gill being left out does not make him a lesser player. We know his quality in any format," he remarked.
Not the End of the Road, Says Harbhajan
The veteran off-spinner had a message of encouragement for the young cricketer, framing the setback as a potential catalyst for greater achievement. Harbhajan urged Gill to view this as motivation and a learning experience.
"This is not the end for him. A player will feel this setback, but I am sure the management or Ajit Agarkar will talk to him," Harbhajan said. He added, "This is a small setback, but he will learn from it. He is a mature captain and player. He should use this as motivation to become even better. If I could tell him, I would say this is the beginning of something big for him."
In conclusion, Harbhajan Singh expressed his overall satisfaction with the selected squad and extended his best wishes for the team's campaign in the 2026 T20 World Cup, hoping they bring the trophy home.
